Question: It has been 10 years since my conversion, and I have made attempts to evangelize, and in at least 2 of those attempts, the subject said they got saved. If I let fear, laziness, or inexperience keep me from telling others about Jesus, then is this idolatry? Galatians 5:19-21 says: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” If I am not telling others about Jesus, then does this void my assurance of salvation? I think I might need to be taught how to evangelize and disciple others by being discipled myself.
Answered by: Aaron Ankrum, who has been a volunteer with us since March, 2013.
Answer: First of all, let me say thank you for writing in with your question. It is one of the hardest things in a person’s life to struggle with these kinds of questions in our own mind.
One thing should probably be said before anything else: if our assurance of salvation comes from something we do, then we are all in great peril. You did not save yourself by a power of your own, right? How then could you ever hope to create assurance for that salvation?
Our salvation is not dependent upon our ability to live a sinless life. If that were possible, Jesus would never have had to come to earth, die on a cross, and be raised again. As you are certainly aware, it is faith that saves us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Is Idolatry a sin? Definitely. Just like you pointed out in your question, idolatry is just much of a problem today as it has ever been. Today we simply worship things other than stone or wooden statues: sex, money, power, fame, etc. have taken the place of the false gods of the Old Testament.
Fear or laziness can certainly be indicators that we have put our trust in the wrong place. Whether that means we are abandoning the one true God in favor of an idol as a way of life though is something only you would know the answer to. However, the fact that you are concerned at all about the condition of your heart before God is a pretty good indication that you are still seeking after him.
As far as whether your recent lack of evangelization is a sin is another thing that is between you and God. The “Great Commission” given by Jesus at the end of the gospel of Matthew is certainly significant in the history of the church, but sometimes I believe the expectation that all believers are called to fulfill the command in the same way may be misguided.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). This seems to indicate that not everybody is necessarily an evangelist, by Christ’s design. So, maybe you’re not actually called to be an evangelist, or maybe you are. If you are gifted in that area and aren’t using the gift God has given you, then you would be in danger of living in opposition to his will. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (James 4:17).
That being said, discipleship is a wonderful habit in the Christian life, and a great way to explore the gifts God has given you. It may be extremely helpful to put yourself into a situation in which your gifts, God’s will for your life, and some good honest feedback about the pattern of your life from someone with whom you have a personal relationship is ongoing. I encourage you to seek out a more mature believer who would be willing to work through these things with you.
Question: Why did Naaman take dirt back after he was healed?
Answered by: Glenn Pierce, who has been a volunteer with us since March, 2009.
Answer: Your inquiry is regarding 2 Kings 5:17. If you purchase a study Bible with notes, the notes accompanying many of the verses will help you understand some background on verses as this. The background for this chapter, 2 Kings ch.5, is Naaman was not a Hebrew but a Hebrew woman had been taken captive by the soldiers of Aram, Damascus, the place Naaman was from, and this captive woman served Naaman’s wife. This Israelite woman told Naaman’s wife, when she learned that Naaman had leprosy, that a prophet of Israel named Elisha could heal him of his leprosy. When Naaman went to Israel he spoke with the king, but the king was disturbed because Naaman had expectations of being healed and the king knew he himself could do no healing. The king thought perhaps this event was a provocation that would result in conflict. But Elisha stepped up and told the king to send Naaman to him. We read that all went well, Naaman was healed by the words Elisha spoke.
9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
The text continues later to say, 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.
15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.
After the healing Naaman makes a request, verse 17. “If you will not {accept a gift from me},” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord.” The notes in my NIV study Bible say, “In the ancient world it was commonly thought that a deity could be worshipped only on the soil of the nation to which he was bound. For this reason, Naaman wanted to take Israelite soil with him in order to have a place in Damascus for the worship of the Lord. Naaman was given permission to do so apparently as we read vs 19.
There are also additional verses in this chapter and the next which reveal how God alone wanted to be glorified by the miraculous acts being done through Elisha. A distinction was being made therefore, between Elisha and the self-serving actions of false prophets and that is why no gift as payment for the healing was accepted by Elisha. Elisha’s servant Gehazi thought this an opportunity for prophet and so he chased after Naaman seeking some silver which was given to him. Gehazi was seeking material gain as the grace of God was given to another. But God wanted a free gift of his grace in the form of healing to be given to Naaman. Elisha found out about this payment request and a curse from God came upon Gehazi who got leprosy because of this evil deed.
As you read through chapter 6 you’ll find an amazing miracle happened. Note that Elisha is treating the enemy well, he is feeding and giving them water to drink. The enemy is amazed and touched by the goodness of God as their lives are spared. The army goes home and the scriptures say, that army, the bands of soldiers from Aram stopped raiding Israel (2 Kings 6:23). God wants people to be touched by his goodness and stop doing the evil they had done before. Keep reading your Bible I pray you will be touched at heart as you do and pray for us that we will be able to continue to serve God and people in ways He wants us to. Happy New Year.
